Abstract
Improvement of resistance to insects while maintaining other desirable agronomic traits in maize (Zea mays L.) populations has been an elusive goal for breeders. This study was conducted to evaluate crosses among II insect‐resistant breeding populations to identify paired populations for selection or extraction of inbreds. A complete diallel was evaluated for lodging, plant height, ear height, yield, ear damage by insects, and maturity in a complete‐block experiment with five replicates at two locations. Locations were combined because errors were homogeneous and the crosses × locations interaction was nonsignificant. General combining ability (GCA) effects were significant (P ≤ 0.01) for all traits, specific combining ability (SCA) effects were significant (P ≤ 0.01) for all traits except yield and maturity, reciprocal effects were significant (P ≤ 0.01) for all traits except yield, and maternal effects were significant (P ≤ 0.05) for all traits except yield and damage by insects. Hybrid checks were earlier, Shorter, higher yielding, and less prone to lodging but also less resistant to insects than were population crosses. Paired crosses resistant to corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea Boddie) and maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky) that performed well for other traits are available fdr selection and inbred extraction. Paired crosses with resistance to fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith) were not identified. The information on GCA, SCA, reciprocal, and maternal effects will assist in identifying critical population crosses.
Published Version
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